Covid-19: Government says to consider making masks mandatory in workplaces and schools to help control the spread of the variant

Ministers should consider making the wearing of face masks mandatory in workplaces, schools and crowded outdoor spaces to help control the new Covid-19 variant, government advisers said.

The variant could account for 63% of cases in England and 77% in London, figures from the Office of National Statistics suggest.

Social distancing and hygiene measures will require a “rigorous radical change” to compensate for the “significantly increased risk of transmission” associated with the variant, according to a report from the Behavioral Sciences group that reports to the Scientific Advisory Group for emergencies (SAGE).

The two-meter rule will likely need to be reinstated and people who have been vaccinated should be urged not to compromise on protective measures, the document from the Environmental Modeling Group, Panel on Pandemic Behaviors and the United Nations said. transmission group.

The advisers said more measures to reduce people-to-people contact would be “likely needed” – such as extending Level 4 restrictions or introducing a nationwide lockdown.

Other suggestions include “changing the way” of schools and universities and increased travel restrictions between regions and internationally.

Minutes of a meeting between ministers and SAGE on December 22 revealed that members warned schools must be closed to reduce transmission.

Even a full lockdown similar to the first shutdown last spring probably wouldn’t reduce the R-number to less than 1.

The Environmental Modeling Group, the Pandemic Behaviors Panel, and the Transmission Panel Report said, “Due to the uncertainty surrounding the mechanisms for increased transmission, enhanced mitigation measures will likely be required, including: reconsidering the 2m rule and requiring that when regular interactions of less than 2m are required, this should include properly worn face coverings. “

The group suggested improving ventilation measures and “reinforcing the importance of the use of face masks, including in settings where they are not currently mandatory, such as education, workplaces and crowded outdoor spaces ”.

“It’s important even when people are more than 2m apart,” they said.

Advisers recommended “specifying higher performance masks and face masks” as some activists criticized the effectiveness of reusable masks sold by retailers.

Multi-layered face masks are more effective than single-layered masks, they said.

A “tight fit to the face” and making sure people wear them correctly by covering both their nose and mouth are also important factors in reducing transmission.

The new variant is estimated to spread up to 70% faster, but SAGE said there was “no evidence” of changes in “transmission routes” or how long it lives on surfaces. .

Government advisers said a “positive feedback” campaign should be launched to inform people that their effects on controlling the virus are working but need to be stepped up.

There were 55,892 new coronavirus cases reported on Thursday and an additional 964 deaths in the UK.